Keepers of the Word believe in regular services with full attendance. They ask worshippers to promise to attend the next week’s services and sternly denounce the evil of unfulfilled promises. Fortunately, services are short, featuring a catchy chant, a simple oath that is easily met and a review of oaths made since the previous service.

Holy Symbol: An open book.

Holy Days: Clerics must gather on the eve of each new moon (Veshemo) with other worshippers for an entire day of prayer and celebration, wherein they make offerings of one or more silver coins each according to their wealth. Since the occasion lasts all day long, the services include several breaks for meals and tend to be a bit informal.

Adventuring clerics of the Honorable One may be granted special permission to miss these monthly gatherings, provided they return at the next opportunity with either a new worshiper or a substantial monetary gift to the church.

Holy Colors: Red and silver.

Holy Animal: The lion is the holy animal of Keepers of the Word, and those who harm such a beast are said to commit blasphemy.

Raiment: Among the clergy, formality is of the utmost importance. Keepers of the Word are almost never seen unattired in their ceremonial robes, and the higher-ranking clerics often have expensive, custom-made robes with elaborate needlework created for them.

Rank:

Title:

Raiment:

1

Servant

red

2

Advocate

red

3

Esteemed

red

4

Venerable

red with a single silver stripe on the sleeves

5

Reverend

red with two silver stripes on the sleeves

6

Reverend

red with two silver stripes on the sleeves

7

Esquire

red with three silver stripes on the sleeves

8

Grand Esquire

red with three silver stripes and a broad silver belt

9

Priest

red with three silver stripes, a broad silver belt and silver collar

10

High Priest

red with three silver stripes, a broad silver belt, silver collar and a silver shawl

Special Requirements

Keepers of the Word are prohibited from ever telling a lie. Violating this prohibition results in the inability to advance in further rank until the Keeper receives the benefit of an atonement spell.

Advancement: Advancement within the Hall of Oaths is based on seniority, but may also be gained by performing a particularly honorable deed or by fulfilling an important oath. Servants or higher-ranking clerics who can cast zone of truth, detect thoughts and discern lies can cast those spells without a divine focus.

An Esquire’s stipend increases to 250 gp per month.

A Grand Esquire’s second follower is a paladin or monk (DM’s choice).

Special Notes

Rumors abound that the Esquire in Aroroleta (named Feltak Remel) is falling out of favor with the city’s ruler, Lord Kasimer. This loss of favor has yet to result in any official acts by Kasimer, and the source of the friction is different every time the tale is told. The most common theme seems to be Feltak’s refusal to divulge some vital information Kasimr is demanding of him. The church’s leadership worries that Feltak’s reputation is causing the issue. A covert or official investigation might be required to maintain the stature of the church in the city.

Sacrifices: Each time the moon of Veshemo grows full, Keepers of the Word sacrifice silver coins to their deity. A Keeper must sacrifice at least a number of silver coins equal to 10 x his cleric level.

The temples of the Hall of Oaths often feature large rectangular halls, with the cleric presiding over services appearing in a small balcony about 10-20 feet above the worshippers at one end of the hall. The hall slopes gently, lowering as it approaches the balcony, making it even easier for the worshippers in the rear to see and hear. The ceiling is high, with a pointed roof.

Cathedrals are larger in all dimensions, with the cleric’s platform rising ever higher. They usually feature additional entrances along the sides of the hall to facilitate traffic. The wall from which the cleric’s platform protrudes usually displays an enormous fresco of images from the faith’s history.

Svowmahni’s cathedral is the ancestral holy seat of the faith. Its best-known feature is its library, in which three dozen clerics and scribes work to make copies of The Word and other liturgical and legal works. The cathedral’s grounds include housing for all of the libraries workers.

Hilano Wheshan Aziri ascended to the post in 561 IR, only two years ago. His hold is still tenuous as he has not made many changes among the senior clergy and his predecessor was a wise and powerful cleric. While influential among the followers and the citizens of Svowmahni, Aziri barely commands the respect of the majority of his high priests. They think him too young (he is not even 40 yet) and too inexperienced.